It was midday.
Golden sunlight filtered through the lattice windows, scattering delicate patterns across the polished floor. Outside, the winter wind had quieted, leaving the Ning Mansion wrapped in a strange, uneasy calm.
Yet inside Bai-Xue's chamber, her thoughts were anything but calm.
They moved like shadows beneath still water—deep, restless, calculating.
Just as her mind began to sink once more into those dangerous reflections—
Knock. Knock.
The sudden sound at the door broke the silence.
Bai-Xue's eyes lifted immediately.
Her gaze turned toward the half-open doors.
There, framed by the pale afternoon light, stood a young maid holding a wooden tray carefully in both hands. Steam curled gently upward from the porcelain bowls arranged upon it.
The sight was ordinary.
Yet Bai-Xue's body reacted before her mind did.
She straightened slightly, a flicker of vigilance passing through her eyes.
"Who are you?" she asked sharply.
Her tone was not loud—but it carried unmistakable authority.
"And who sent you here?"
The young maid visibly startled.
Her shoulders tensed, and her fingers tightened nervously around the tray. For a moment, it seemed as though she might drop it.
Before the poor girl could stumble over her words, a gentle warmth touched Bai-Xue's hand.
Jan-Mei.
She quietly placed her hand over her mistress's and spoke in a soft, calming voice.
"My Lady... she is a new maid. Her name is Shanshan."
Bai-Xue's gaze shifted slightly.
"She came with Master Jia-Hai's attendants," Jan-Mei continued gently. "She is one of the maids assigned from his courtyard."
At the mention of Master Jia-Hai, Bai-Xue's expression softened—just a fraction.
So... Grandfather had already begun placing his own people near her.
That realization eased the tension coiled within her chest.
She slowly leaned back into her seat.
"Come in," she said at last, giving a small, composed gesture of permission.
Shanshan hurried inside carefully, walking as though afraid even her footsteps might offend the air. She approached the elegant rosewood table near the window and began placing the dishes down one by one.
The aroma quickly filled the room.
Braised spirit chicken glazed with honey.
Lotus root soup simmered with medicinal herbs.
Crystal dumplings shaped like plum blossoms.
Steamed river fish drizzled with fragrant oil.
Golden sesame pastries dusted lightly with sugar.
Dish after dish appeared until the once-empty table looked like it belonged to a royal banquet rather than a princess long neglected.
Jan-Mei's eyes widened in astonishment.
"So much food?" she exclaimed softly, unable to hide her surprise. "Shanshan, how did you manage to bring all of this here?"
Shanshan paused, then looked up shyly.
Up close, she was clearly still very young—no more than fourteen or fifteen. Her cheeks still carried traces of childhood softness. Compared to seventeen-year-old Jan-Mei, she seemed almost like a little sister.
But in that moment, her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Well..." she began, lowering her voice slightly as though sharing a secret, "after what happened this morning... everyone is already frightened."
She glanced nervously at Bai-Xue before continuing.
"When I told them I was delivering food for Princess Bai-Xue... no one dared to refuse."
Her lips curved into an innocent, proud smile.
"They immediately brought out the best dishes. They even argued over which ones were worthy enough."
She let out a small, breathless laugh.
"No one wanted to risk offending the Princess."
There was something almost childlike about the way she said it—like a little girl proudly reporting good news.
Jan-Mei blinked.
Her heart stirred with complicated emotions.
This morning, the same household had dared to treat her mistress as though she were invisible.
And now—
Just a few firm words.
Just one display of undeniable authority.
And the entire atmosphere of the mansion had shifted.
Bai-Xue remained silent as she observed the lavish spread before her.
Her expression did not change much.
But deep within—
She understood perfectly.
In a place like this, kindness was mistaken for weakness.
Only power earned respect.
Fear was faster than affection.
Her gaze lifted slightly, resting briefly on Shanshan's bright, hopeful face.
The girl did not look calculating.
She looked sincere.
Simple.
Perhaps Grandfather had chosen her deliberately.
Perhaps this was the first quiet piece placed upon the chessboard.
Bai-Xue moved toward the table gracefully.
"Thank you," she said calmly.
Shanshan's eyes widened in surprise at the polite acknowledgment.
She quickly bowed deeply, nearly bumping her forehead against the tray.
"It is my duty, Princess!" she replied earnestly.
Jan-Mei could not help but smile softly at the young girl's enthusiasm.
For the first time that day, the heavy tension in the room eased just a little.
Jan-Mei and Shanshan stood a short distance away, whispering softly to one another while Bai-Xue took her seat at the round rosewood table.
Sunlight streamed through the carved lattice windows, illuminating the delicate steam rising from the dishes. The aroma of herbs and spices curled gently through the air.
Bai-Xue picked up her chopsticks—but paused.
Her gaze lifted.
The two girls were standing respectfully near the wall, speaking in hushed voices, careful not to disturb her.
For a brief moment, something warm flickered in her otherwise composed eyes.
"Why are you standing so far away?" Bai-Xue asked calmly.
Jan-Mei and Shanshan both straightened immediately.
"My Lady?" Jan-Mei responded softly.
Bai-Xue tilted her head slightly toward the empty chairs.
"Both of you—come and sit. Eat with me."
The words fell naturally, as though it were the most ordinary request in the world.
But for Shanshan—
It was anything but ordinary.
Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"S-Sit... with you, Princess?" she stammered.
Jan-Mei, however, only smiled gently. She reached out and lightly nudged Shanshan's sleeve.
"It's fine," she whispered reassuringly. "Our Princess does not stand on empty formalities."
There was quiet affection in her tone.
Since childhood, Jan-Mei had always eaten beside Bai-Xue. Not as a servant kneeling at a distance—but as someone who shared her table. Shared her laughter. Shared her hardships.
Not merely mistress and maid.
But companions who had grown up side by side.
Encouraged by Jan-Mei's confidence, Shanshan hesitantly walked forward. The two girls took their seats across from Bai-Xue.
Jan-Mei immediately began serving the dishes, carefully portioning rice into three bowls before offering them respectfully.
Bai-Xue observed them quietly for a moment before speaking.
"When did the two of you become friends?"
Jan-Mei's hand paused slightly.
A hint of hesitation crossed her face.
She glanced at Shanshan, then lowered her eyes.
Taking a slow breath, she answered honestly.
"A few days ago... when I was bringing food for you, Princess... one of the maids accused me of stealing."
Her fingers tightened slightly around the serving spoon.
"She claimed I had hidden food for myself."
Shanshan frowned at the memory.
"She said Sister Jan-Mei was greedy," Shanshan added quickly, unable to stay silent. "But I saw everything! She didn't take anything."
Jan-Mei gave her a small, grateful look before continuing.
"They were ready to punish me without listening," she admitted quietly. "But Shanshan stepped forward and defended me."
Bai-Xue's expression darkened.
Without thinking, her hand struck lightly against the table.
The porcelain bowls trembled.
"Who was it?" she asked coldly.
Jan-Mei blinked at the sudden flash of protectiveness.
Then—
She let out a soft, almost mischievous chuckle.
"Princess... it was the same maid you expelled from the Ning Mansion this morning."
A brief silence followed.
Then Bai-Xue slowly leaned back.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"I see."
So it had been her.
Shanshan, unable to contain herself, leaned forward slightly.
"Princess, Master Jia-Hai actually hired several maids specifically to serve you," she said earnestly.
Bai-Xue's eyes sharpened slightly.
"Oh?"
"But Ya-Ting and her mother kept them," Shanshan continued, her words spilling out quickly. "They said their courtyard needed more hands and assigned those maids there instead."
She lowered her voice.
"They were too afraid to tell Master Jia-Hai."
Jan-Mei frowned slightly.
"So only you were left?" she asked gently.
Shanshan nodded.
"Yes... my name is Liu-Li Shanshan. I'm not very skilled yet, so no one chose me. The other courtyards said I was too inexperienced." She scratched her cheek sheepishly. "Most of the time, the senior maids just order me around."
Her tone was not bitter—just honest.
"But today," she added brightly, her eyes shining, "no one stopped me when I said I was delivering food to Princess Bai-Xue! Even the guards stepped aside immediately."
She beamed, clearly proud of that small victory.
Bai-Xue listened quietly while eating.
Her movements were elegant and unhurried.
Inside, however, she could not help but think—
This girl truly is a chatterbox.
Shanshan continued speaking without pause, explaining who argued in the kitchen, which cook almost dropped the soup, and how one maid nearly tripped over her own sleeves in a hurry to prepare the best dishes.
Jan-Mei occasionally laughed softly, responding in kind.
The atmosphere around the table gradually warmed.
For the first time in a long while—
It felt less like a lonely princess's chamber.
And more like a place filled with life.
Bai-Xue lowered her gaze slightly, hiding the faint smile that tugged at her lips.
Shanshan's innocence was genuine.
Untainted.
Unaware of the darker currents flowing through the Ning Mansion.
Perhaps that purity was rare.
Perhaps it was fragile.
But for now—
Bai-Xue allowed herself to enjoy the simple sound of their voices.
On the other side of the Ning Estate, far from the quiet warmth of Bai-Xue's chamber, the atmosphere in the western garden was anything but peaceful.
Beneath a blooming plum tree, Ning Ya-Ting, Hai-Rang, and their mother Madam Jing-Yi sat around a carved jade table. Porcelain teacups rested delicately before them, steam rising in thin, twisting threads.
The garden was beautiful.
But the mood was not.
Suddenly—
Bang!
Madam Jing-Yi's palm struck the table sharply, rattling the teacups.
"Have you lost your mind, Hai-Rang?!" she snapped, her voice cutting through the quiet garden like a whip. "Bai-Xue did all of that? Are you even listening to yourself?"
Hai-Rang's fingers tightened around her cup. The faint tremor in her hand betrayed her unsettled heart.
Before she could respond, Ya-Ting let out a small, amused laugh.
"Sister, are you talking about Bai-Xue?" she said lightly, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Did you perhaps see a ghost in broad daylight?"
She leaned back lazily.
"You expect us to believe that Bai-Xue—that Bai-Xue—could dare to act so boldly? I refuse to believe it."
Her tone was dismissive.
Mocking.
Madam Jing-Yi lifted her hand slightly, signaling Ya-Ting to be silent.
Her sharp eyes settled on Hai-Rang.
"Speak clearly," she commanded. "Tell me exactly what happened."
Hai-Rang swallowed.
For the first time since childhood, she felt unsure while standing before her mother.
"I am telling the truth, Mother," she insisted. "Bai-Xue has changed."
Her voice lowered.
"She openly declared herself the Princess. She spoke of authority... of being the true master of the Ning Mansion."
Ya-Ting scoffed again.
"No. Impossible," she interrupted. "Bai-Xue does not possess that kind of courage. Nor the intelligence."
Hai-Rang's expression hardened.
"I saw it with my own eyes."
Her gaze darkened slightly, remembering the cold pressure that had descended earlier in the courtyard.
"She expelled a maid from the Ning Family," she said quietly. "In front of everyone."
The garden fell silent.
Even the wind seemed to pause among the plum blossoms.
Madam Jing-Yi's brows knit together.
"Expelled?" she repeated slowly.
At that moment, Hai-Rang's personal maid, who had been kneeling respectfully nearby, lowered her head and spoke cautiously.
"Second Lady speaks the truth, Madam," she confirmed nervously. "Princess Bai-Xue personally ordered a guard to drag the maid out of the mansion."
Her voice trembled.
"She even threatened to summon Master Jia-Hai."
The porcelain teacup slipped slightly in Jing-Yi's hand.
Her eyes widened—just for a fraction of a second.
But that single moment was enough.
Shock.
Real shock.
For years—
Years—
She had carefully molded the Ning Household according to her will.
Servants answered to her.
Courtyards bent to her preferences.
Even small matters were handled only after seeking her approval.
Though she was not the main wife by title—
In practice, she had long controlled the inner mansion.
And now—
A girl who had remained silent for over a decade was suddenly asserting authority?
Impossible.
Jing-Yi slowly placed her teacup down.
Her gaze grew colder.
"In all these years," she said quietly, "I have shaped the Ning Family according to my design."
Her voice lowered further, carrying a dangerous calm.
"So what wind is this... that dares to blow through my mansion?"
Hai-Rang bit her lip.
Ya-Ting's earlier amusement had completely faded.
A faint unease crept into her expression.
Because deep down—
They all understood something unsettling.
If Bai-Xue had truly begun reclaiming her position...
If Master Jia-Hai stood behind her...
Then the balance of power inside the Ning Mansion could shift overnight.
Jing-Yi's fingers slowly tightened against the tabletop.
"No," she murmured. "This is not coincidence."